Emties hang up in a 73 carbine

[Cohagen]

Dear Pards,

Lets try this post again.  The rifle is a 73 Uberti Carbine in .38 cal.  The  brass is new Remington.  I normally shoot BP but made up a few practice rounds using 3.5 grs. Red Dot.  The fired cases hang up on the extractor against the brass carrier on the upstroke.
The rifle was shortstroked by Cody Conager 5 years ago.  I have shot it in competiton for all that time with no problems.   If I jam the lever the brass will leave the extractor but it really slows up your tiime. 

I tried a few shots with BP and the same thing happened.  Is it new extractor time or is there another problem?

Any ideas would be most appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

Cohagen

[August]

This will sound like voodoo, but I swear it's true.  The only brass that will run in my '73s is Winchester.

When you think about it, it's not that far fetched.  You see, Winchester knows that pistol cartridges can, and will be fired in rifles.  All the other companies think that .38 special and 357 magnums are pistol rounds and, therefore their rim designs are not set to accommodate extraction or ejection.

The only brass I use in my '73 is Winchester.  It really does make a difference.

You'll note additional finishing and beveling on the rims of Winchester brass compared to other brands if you look closely.

On the other hand, is your elevator worn where it engages cartridge cases for ejection?  Sometimes elevators need replacement for this reason.

[Fingers McGee]

I posted this reply to the other thread too

If the only thing you've changed before you had this problem is the brass; I'd look to the brass being the problem.

I have a '73 that the extractor will not grab the rim of Winchester brass when chambering - the bevel & tightness of the extractor will not ride over the rim; and a '66 that will not extract Remington brass - extractor rides over the rim but won't hold on to it to extract.  Both rifles work perfectly with Starline brass; so that's what I use.

It sounds to me like the rim diameter is causing the brass to bind between the extractor and bolt tab making it hard to eject.

FM

[Cohagen]

Well Pards,

Finally found the problem.......The lifter spring prong slipped in the grove of the lifter arm and chewed it up pretty good.  Need to make sure lifter springs are well seated and tight.  The screws are so darned soft, they loosen quite easily on there own...unless you are trying to loosen them.....easy to chew up the screw.  got it solved and on the way to recovery.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Cohagen

[Leo Tanner]

I've found that you need the perfect size driver fer those screws, and it's an odd size.  I carry the Schrade multi tool with me, the flat head fits perfect as opposed to any of the others.  The needle nose are skinny enough to fit in the receiver as well.  The thing almost seems designed for western rifle owners.  Of course it aint PC, but I always hide it somewhere in case I find maself needin it.

[Deadeye Dick]

Cohagen,
You can also replace those soft screws with hardened ones from VTI or the Smith Shop. I replaced all of my screws with hardened ones. Leo is correct about having the proper screw driver for the heads. I purchased mine through Brownell's. They have a good of assortment of tips for their Magna Tip screwdrivers.

[Cohagen]

Thanks Deadeye.....Headed over to VTI as we speak.

Cohagen

[Pappy Myles]

OK Pards, similar rifle, but in 44-40.      Uberti 73 saddle carbine.     Bought it used, pretty good price but after the 1st match now I know why the proce was cheep.   The extractor overrides the rim on ejection and fails to eject.

Solution 1.   Bought a new extractor for Taylors.   The Part is oversize so a little filing required.    Opppps    to much and same problem..

Solution 2.  Bought a new bolt, complete with ejector.   Rifle back together but on ejection, the ejector is not high enough to move the dust cover back.

Solution 3.  Went to Cimeron and bought another ejector and put it in.  Took a little more time in filing the part to the surface of the bolt so it would hold the spent cartridge and also be able to retreat into the frame withhout hanging up.  Also put a new carrier (the light aluminum one from Long Hunter along with the slixspring.  Man are the screws soft and a pain to get out.  Replaced with slixspring.

Problem now is that there seams to be a rough spot at the far end of the level cycle as the extention cocks the hammer.   When I manually cock the hammer then cycle the level, there is no problem.      Any help here will be appreciated.

[Deadeye Dick]

Pappy,
Not sure if this is your problem, but a friend of mine had to take a little metal off of the flat on the firing pin extension. When the extension over rode the hammer in the cocking process the extension was pushed up and put into a bind with the receiver extension channel. There wasn't enough room for both to do there thing unless the extension flexed up. The extension showed gouges on it from the receiver. He took a file and removed a minimal amount of metal from the flat of the extension.
How was that, about as clear as mud, huh?
Sure sounds like you've had a rough time of it. I sure like my 73, but it required a fair amount of tuning to get it to function smoothly.

Deadeye Dick

[Pappy Myles]

Thanks Dead Eye.

I figured it was hanging up as it cocks the hammer, but wasnt sure on what to do about it.   I have a long barreled '73 in 45 colt that functions flawlessly.  I picked up a pair of colts in 44-40 and figured I needed a rifle in 44-40 to go with them.  Got this one used for a good price.    I'll probably put more into it than its worth but what the hay.  Thats why we call it a hobby............and I have a ball at it!!!!!!.

Thanks again for the tip

[Pappy Myles]

The continuing saga.


After about a half dozen matches, the parts on the '73 seem's to have "wear fit"  Its not hanging up anymore.

I have put in the aluminum riser ajnd the slixspring's from (Long Hunter Shooting Supply) in the gun.   Wow what a difference.
I also have the short stroke lever and parts but not the guts to start fitting yet.

Maybe I'll just ship it off and have the experts do it!

[Leo Tanner]

It's fun to do your own gun work, but sometimes handing over to an expert is the best way to go.  That one second of swallowing yer pride can lead ta years of having a great firearm.